Xnittinq  machine



W. D. 8; L. C. HUSE. Reissued Feb. 9,1909. KNITTING momma.

APPLIGATIOR FILED MAY 9. 1906 10 sums-sum 1.

Z rut/1970mm 66h rre/rc llliaaey 1 ."WTO (5. Z924 W. D. & L. O. HUSE. Reissued Feb. 9, 1909. KNITTING MACHINE.

NW" APPLICATION FILED HAY 9,1906.

10 BHEBTS-SHBET 2.

Reissued Feb. 9, 1909.

W. D. & L. C. HUSH. KNITTING HAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1906 10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

w. 1). a L; 0. HUSH. Reissued Feb. 9. 1909 KNITTING mcnmn. 12,917- APPLIOATIOI FILED IA! 9, 190B 10 BhBBTB-SHBST 4.

W. D. 8; L. C. HUSH.

KNITTING MACHINE 7- APPLICATION FILED MAY s, 1901;.

Reissued Feb. 9, 1909.

10 BHEETS-SHET 5.

W. D. 6; L. C. HUSE.

KNITTING MACHINE, APPLICATION FILED MAY 9,1906,

Reissued Feb. 9, 1909 10 SHEETS-SHEET 64 3 M Q w wfl iesaea W. D. dz L. O. HUSE.

Reissued Feb. 9, 1909. 1 KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1906.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

(Uar'ren/D 21526-9 L 9070 G. A

Haas-e F m H QM M 6 Pam m I W 00 0 9 1 nu .D- 6 F d M s m LPPLIUATIOH FILED HAY 9,1995

10 Baum-sum 1o auuantozs IYO 12/ 5; war/v02 H061 .ljzon Cf/asz w wg fitter, na l UN IlTEi.) STATEEfi PATENT OFFICE.

WARREN D. HUM; AND LEON C. NYSE. OF LASONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE. AdSlGNORQ, BY HESNE ASSIGNMICNLP, TO THE Piiih tiiitjlfh i'l KXITTIM] COMPANY, A UORPOIUVIIUN Ul ILLI- NUIS.

IQHTTEING-MACHINE.

November 17. 1908, Serial No. 315,901.

To all whom it may concrrn:

Be it known that We, ll and Loon (l. lli'sie, citizens of the United States. and residento of ilitltfllllil. in the county of llelknap and State of New Hampshire, have invented an TIEEPI'OYLIllGllt in Knitting Machines. of which the following description,' in connection with the aeeompiinying drawing, is :1 F1)trllit'ttii0il, like letters on the drawings representing like parts. "The intention hon-in set forth has for its ohjee't the produetiou of :1 eoniplet lllliiif knitting uniehiue prinnirily do for the knitting ot' stockings. I

The machine enables the complete artitrle'. ouch 2F? :1 Mocking. to he knit from one end to the other entirely iultonioti(folly, so that all that is required is to keep the ifiacli'ine sup- 'r ied with the proper yarns. to sepiiriite the stockings which come from the machine inn continuum; Welt. and then to perform suoh simple operation. in. the stit -hing or ooping toge her of the opening left at. the toe end,

The present invention it is believed romhinw in :1 single uutoiniitiemachine all the various features il ftofitll'y to make a coiniorreiul otorkiug with the rihlied leg with reinforced toe and heel portions of proper and proportionate weight throughout and of rightly appearance when finished and when worn. x i The machine id t1llit)!l(l"t(l make :1 Storkfing X1filii1i-tdfi$0lib0il in l mited Suites Patent No. 626 864", granted June '13. 1899. although the elasticity of the machine in the adjust-- merits and timing and ronihiuzitionaot its YiirionS elements sin-h thot the range and rhzirzieter of work ezipiihlr of living perff'il'fllttl h it automatically is by no means limited to the character of stocking etforth inthe said patent. but the gold potent is an excellent, work oii mhle of being performed automatit'zilly upon this iniirhiilel The morltiiig ot' the euro tor the H-" TLI"J ('ltflllig Hitlll ot' the t e. knit in one Hitliclltt'h web. with the lt:t foot and hi-rl iieiz'tim l'on'iwd of iluin knitling. and the l g portion of rilihr-d knitting. hiiwe in t'oi'nith-Q hirihliril loo more titi-hrs tii't 111.:th iuvu lllll" 'ill 1 l are liiiltii in tot-sir ion the plain inrmlvir -oi'tion of the foot. it will be seen. as explained. in the said patent,

\RREN D. H USE illustration of the rhilraeter of,

Application for reissue filed November 21, 19GBv I t E Specification of Reissued Letters Patent.

Reissued Feb. 9, 1909.

filed Februari 1901. Original No. 904.484. dated serial No. 463.84%.

iiifli ltlilefifi rovisions were nuitle to oou'ipenszite for the increased number of iitrhe tllll formed the ribbed leg would be too large and unsightiya The leg portion of the shit-king is accordingly formed in said patent of a thread Sufiieientiy finer than that used in the foot portion to lt)lll])tl1l-2il'8 for the in 6G creased number of stitches. and the object (if t'liedifi'tll'ltllfih of the mid potent not; d n -innlQSt-l stocking in which the foot portion was hnit in plain stitch, the leg. portion in rih stitch. and with the relative eighth of the yarn in. the ribbed leg and the plain foot in inverse ratio or proportion to the number of stitches in said ribbed leg and phinfoot portions.

The umchii ie of the present invention cronipri=es nnionig' others the following features which enableit to respond to the require lHQlllS for the production of not only such stockings as described in the said potent. but also stockings and other work of varied chair i iii-tor and construction: two sets of knitting needles. the one for the produotion of plain circular work-and reciprocating work, the two combined for the produi-tion of ribbed work, and means for controlling the separate and eonjoint operation of the said sets of needles, all firon'i pattern mechanism. so that either 'pliiin circular, reciprocating, narrowing nnd'n iiilening. or ribbed knitting may be 'ieiformed upon the il ltltll'liltl at and during Slit'll {)QIiOtiStlFliiil) hepredetermined. \Vehhol tlers or sinkers for the set of needles For performing the plain and reig-iproeiiting Work over which the thread is at times inenoured oil. and Whitl] serve to hold down the knitted ireh epeeinlly during plain knitting. Take up mechanism supported by the knitted web. additional weigl'its for said trike-up HlQClliinisin to increase its taking up elleet. and nieanx for automatically applying either mid taiikevup inerlninism, or said weights to said t llfllilj) nwol'uinihgu, or said takemp meehiinisin and the Weights at and during ouch period; no iniiyhe pretleter uineil. Auxiliary mkegn nn-rhnnisni or grah mechanism for inde ting the requirements occasioned iii the inlet; up ot" thr knitted weh due to thenciirretire of poiiirhwz. HlH'll no formed iltkllit- "(mgpihe l 'ool and the. and means for autotftflfifiilly putting;- mid auxiliary taken ineli'iinism into o ieiuition at and during sun}:

Mechanism for automaticallychanging at predetermined times the speed of the knitting machine to accommodate it to the character of knitting being performed thereon. These and other features of the invention, combined as set forth in the appended claims, constitute the invention and result in the production of a wide range and character of work.

* ii the machine herein illustrated as em hodying the invention and which is designed for the production of complete seamless stoclti sthe wot-it preferably con'iznencedzit. tin, no ch. The Eve set of needles in NH! no; widening are supplied preferably with oarsc thread, the machine running :it a conipzirutii'ely slow speed as required in reciprocating w rk. Upon the completion of the toe pouch the thread is preferably changed to a finer quality, and the plain foot portion knit in complete cirrulnr course the speed of the machine being incrcas d at. the same time to a hi her pot-ii. When the heel pouch is reache the eed of the machine is decreased, 2 change 'nl yarn preferably effected, and a heel pone-h formed in the usual way by narrowing and uidening. On completion of the heel punch he plain circular knitting is resumed at high speed and a change of thread made, if Ilisired, to constitute an ankle portion. if a plain ankle portion is desired. If the ribbed leg is to he formed directly on completion of the heel pouch then the dial needles are thrown into actioina change to a fiuerthread cil'ectcd, the speed of the machine increased, and the size-of the stitch adjusted to pro duce a ribbed leg of the requisite elasticity amlweight The entire operation throughout is automatic and continuous, and in fact upon the completion of the stocking, the change is autonmticnlly eti'ectcd to plain circular web to form a short connecting web between the end of one stocking; and the toe of the succeeding stocking, so that? the stockings are knit in one continuous Web. It is to be understood, however, that the regulation,

employment, timing: andadjustment. of all the nicchaninns is such as to make the machine capable of performing a very great vuricty of Work.

Figure 1. in left hand elevation, represents our improved machine, the lower part. of the side frame and part of the pattern surface being omitted, the parts of the machine occopying that position in the formation otthe stocking after the nuchine has laid two or three courses of rib knitting in the starting of the leg, the machine being supposed to he rnnning at its fast speed and the cam cylinder to be revolving continuously in the same direction; Fig. 2 is a partial front elevation of said machine; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on line 3--3, Fig. 2. looking to the left; Figs. 3 and 3 are details in side and edge views of the switch lever e and its connected switch to he described; Fig. 4 is a rear side elevation of the machine represented in Fig. t; Fig. 5 is a. top or plan VlQW of the ma chine represented in Fig. 1 below the dotted lipe 5--5, Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a top view of the upper part of the machine omitted from Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section in substantially the line 77, Fig. 5, showing the stationary needle-cylinder, its needles, the cam-cylinder, devices for moving the needles into or out of position for toe or heel work, the dial-needle bed and the dial cam plate with its locking device, and part of the grati said section being in line wherein the dial needles are shown as retracted and the cylinder needles in their normal positions; File. 8 is a similar section but in a line substantially at right angles to the'seclion in Fig. Z, said ti'zure being made chiefly to renresentf the dial and cylinder needles in knitting position, Fig. S is an underside view of the sinker actuating cam ring: Fin, 8 is an underside view 0% the dial needle cam: Fig". 8 ,shows a sinker detached; F in. 9 is a section on the line 9, Fig. 7, sonic of the parts being'broken out to better disclose parts lyinq underneath, the thread guides being entirely omitted; Fig. 10 is a detail showine' the knitting cam of the cam cylinder together with a device for changing its position to govern the length of sitrh; Fig. ii is a section of Fig. 10 in the line 1l-11 Fig. 1:? is a detail showing thirteen of the incur-five bars of the pattern surface, the bar f being at the top and the bar f at the bottom; Fig. 13 is a similar view of the remainin; bars of the pattern surface. the bar I being at the top, said twofigures together representing the entire pattern surface laid not flat; Fig. 14 shows the controlling chain hangine' on its sprocket wheel together with the various lumps carried by it to control the time of action and inaction of the pawl for imparting moti n to the pattern surface, said chain being partially broken out; Fig. 15 represents a right-hand end view of the cylinder carrying the ribs for simultaneously putting out of action the needles which are not to he used in reciprocating knitting; Fig. 16 is a section of said cylinder: Fig. 17 is a detail in plain view, showing the movable stand .for carrying the thread guides and holders or catchers, said figure also to; i

showing the pins for operating the cam l wheels, the locking means for the stand and the pin for arresting thc'stand during reciprocating knitting; Fig. 18 is a top plan view of a portion of the takeup' for controlling the circular knitted fabric; Fig. 19 is a 01:- tion of the take-up for controlling the fa ric produced by reciprocating knitting; Figs. 20 and 21 show details of devices instrumental in changing the direction of movement of the cam cylinder for circular and reciprocating knitting and putting into and out of operation the pawl mechanism for moving one of the pattern cylinders.

The framework herein represented consiss essentially of side plates A of suitable shape to stand upon the floor, said plates being connected at their upper end in suitable manner by a tie. plate A, it serving the punpese, in connection with other suitable legs,' to iteep the side plates in suitable position, and also to support; the Working parts of the machine.

Erccted upon the tie. plate as herein repre sented, at its opposite sides are suitable. stands A which, in turn, supportv cross bars or beams A, each provided at its outer face with a series of vertical grooves for the reception of a series of jacks, to be described, said jacks being retained in their grooves bymeans of cap plates A, secured to said cross bars support in turn a series of suitable posts, as A, herein represented as four in number, said posts being connected at their upper ends with the top plate A of the machine.

The top plate, as herein represented, has erected upon it suitable uprights A, two or more, which uprights sustain at. their upper ends a rigid cross bar A", having a suitable hole through which is extended a rod A, said rod beinp screw threaded at its upper end and having applied to it a nut. A by which to adjust the positionofl said rod vertically in said bar. said rod below saidnnt. and between it and said bar A be ing lamped by a clampingscrew A passed through the split hub of a lever A, slotted at. one end, see Fin. (3, to receive a clamp screw A hy which to turn said rod more or lPS-E. as may be. desired. and With'it the dial needle bed A", connected to the lower end of said rod by a suitable bolt A", see Fig. 7. the. adjustment of this rod being necessaiy in order to place the grooves in the dial plate into proper positions with relation to the grooves in the needle cylinder to be described, the wrtical adjustment of the rod enabling the proper plane to he gained for the i-iwiprtrt-atiou of the dial needles With "elation to the vertical movements of te cylind r needles.

Thc'rod A is surroiuuled by a sleeve B, the lower end of which is represented in Fig. 7 as extended to meet. the flanged hub B of the dial cam plate B". slid dial can] plate having a suitable gimme F), the shape. of which is heat repres nted in Fig. 9 by dotted lines and in Fig. 8. This groove dill'ers from usual grooves in usual dial cams for the reason that the groove is made to ree'procate. the needles not only when the dial cam revolves. but also when it reeiproeates, at which time, however, the position of the cams with respect to the thread guides has been so changed, as will hereinafter appear, that. the dial needles do not receive yarn or thread.

The sleeve B at its lower end just. above the dial cani plate has clamped upon it bv a clamp screw ll :1 split hub B", said hub h ing at its lower end a. suitable ear ii in vi ieh is placed a. locking device 13, herein represented a rod guided at its upper end in a plate B, interposed between the upper end of the split hub and a suitable shoulder B of the sleeve, see Fig. 7, said lot-king device being surrounded by a spring ll which normally acts to de n'ess the rod that it may engage a suitable ole or notch I)" in the upper side of the dial cam plate. This lockin device has two like shoulders 7), bet ween Wliich there is a space in which is entered one end of a, dial locking device, said device being represented as a lever if, best shown in Fig. 2, piigoted at I) and having its longz'cr outer end bent laterally and provided with a laterally ezltended toe, best shown in Fig. 5, said toe being acted upon at the proper time by a cam part b",'said cam being); formed on the hub of a toothed wheel b", having, see I igs. 2, 3 and a. series of legs 2 and fl. the legs 3 being longer than the legs 2; the said wheel having, as herein i'e n'ez-ented, four short lugs and two long ones.

The toothed Wheel is moved to turn about astud Z), the rotation of which, except when moved positively restrained by means of a suitable friction device or spring, as 72, Figs. 2 and 5. This toothed Wheel and its cam hub is rotated interniittingly whenever it. is desired to change from rib to reciprocating or plain circular ilinitting to rock lever b ,-sa1d lever in its movements lifting the locking device from the hole I), thus permitting the dial cam plate to remain at. rest while the sleeve carrying the dial locking device continues its movement, said locking device in the same rotation of the sleeve entering the hole b. thereby again locking and carrying with it the dial cam plate, said plate at such time occupying its inoperative position. or a position wherein the an: groove throws out the needles at a. point op posite that where the cylinder needles are being fed with thread,so that locked in its inoperative position said, dial cant plate. although reciprocating the dial needles, does not cause them to take thread, said needles being thereby held practically in their inend a bevel gear B operative position while toe and heel knitdone.

lfhen it is desired to resume rib knitting,

n z a collar plate B constituting a clutch, said plate being sphned OllSzlld shaft and movlable longitudinally thereon between said that is, when the dial needles are to be reprocated in such a position relative to the thread guides that-they shall receive thread,

the dial locking device is again operated by its cum I) to disconnect the pin B from the hole I), whereupon the dial cam plate remains stationary with the dial plate A until the sleeve carrying the pin ll has moved to engage the y a 1'5" with the other hole 6 in the dial cum plutm at which time the dial cam plate is again locked in position to cause the dial needles to take thread and knit, the requisite movement of the dial locking device being under control of a. pattern mechanism as Wlll hereinafter appear.

The sleeve ll. referred to, has clamped upon it by a suitable clamp screw B Fig. 3,

the hub of a bobbin carrier B, said carrier being herein represented as provided with three bobbins, B B and B), the bobbin B being supposed to contain thread for the heel to be used in the production of the heel and toe, the bobbin B containing thread for the production of the foot and ankle provided it is desired to make the ankle of the stocking of a thread like that used in the foot, while the bobbin B is supposed to have a finer thread which used alone in the production of the ribbed leg.

Below the hub of the bobbin carrier B the said sleeve has clamped upon it by a suitable clamp screw B, the split hub of an arm B" which is connected by suitable set screws, as b, Fig. 3, to the cam cylinder to thereby afford proper steadying support for the said sleeve and the parts connected with it.

The cam cylinder 13 is capable of being both rcciprocated and rotated. as will be described, and taking with it the bobbin carrying ring and the dial needle cam plate except at certain intervals when the dial cam plate is unlocked ttni'iporarily, as already indicaledi in order that its position may .be changed with relation to the needle actuating cam of the cam cylinder and thread guides.

The cam cylinder 13 provided with teeth, as represented inlig. 5. which are ongaged by the teeth of a toothed-wheel I flush with the upper surface of the plate A" and mounted on a shaft B shown in Fig. 2, extended through a sleeve-like bearing B connected with a part of the framework of the machine said shaft having at its lower which is engaged by a bevel gear B fast on the cam cylinder moving shaft B provided, see Fig. 2, with two loose gears B and B, said gears having at their inner side: suitable openings or holes to receive suitable pins 33, extended "from loose gears, whereby the said gears B or B will be locked to and will impart their motion to the shaft B.

Mounted in suitable hearings in the machine frame is the power shaft B carrying at its outer end the two loose pulleys B and I each driven by separate belt or other driving connections at different speeds. Between said pulleys B and B is mounted any suitable form of clutch, as 13 splined to said shaft B whereby either of said pul leys B or 15 may be connected to and constituto the driver of the shaft B to thereby vary the speed. Fixed to rotate with the shaft B is the gear B, Fig. 3, in constant engagement with the gear B loose on the shaft B, and mounted subjacent the gear B and inter-meshing therewith is the intermediate gear B'- which in turn is in enagcment With the gear B. Thus it will 10 seen that the gear B is given continuous motion from the power shaft through the gears B, B and B.

Suitably guided in hearings or guides B in the machine frame is the rack B, connected at its lower end by the link B to the gear 13, whereby the rack is given a constant reciprocating motion, and said rack is in mesh with the gear B loose on the shaft B, thus the two gears B and B loose on the shaft B, are given motion, the former a constantly rotating, and the latter a constantly oscillating motion, and the movement of the one or the other of said gears is imparted to shaft B according to which of them is connected to the clutch B from-winch it will be evident that the cam cylinder may be given a rotary or reciprocating movement as desired, and by means of the diderent speeds given to the pulleys B and B such movements of the cam cyl iuder may be made fast or slow as conditions require, through the clutch B This invention not limited, however, to any particular construction of the clutches for connecting the pulleys B and B to the power shaft or the gears B and B to the shaft 13, as we may employ instead any usual speed changing gearing capable of operating the shaft at two different speeds, the essence of this feature being that the change of speed is under the control of the pattern mechanism and is therefore automatically effected at predetermined times.

A single cam for reciprocating the cylinder needles is preferably employed in the cam cylinder, one side of said cam being operative for circular work, and both sides of said cam being operative one after the other alternately during reciprocating work. Devices coiiperating with said cam for automatically controllimr the length of stitch are also provided, and

these devices are under the control of the pattern mechanism, so that the length ofthe stitch may be' automatically varied at predetermined times. Thisis greatly of advantage in the formation of the ribbed leg, bcca use the stitch may by this means he proportioned with respect to the plain portion of the loot to provide a proper fittin ribbed .le This cam cylinder surroun s a need e cylinder (3 which is groovcd to receive the latch needles 0,

said cam cylinder having attached to its inl0 and in section in end of a cam sleeve ner side by suitable screws. ring C the upper side for most of its length a as C, a sttgil of which constitutes rest upon which the butts of the needles after having been res Piprm'atcd to knit stand II] their normal position. This ring is cut out at one part, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 10, to constitute a space into which the butts of the needles may be depressed when they take thread to knit, said depression having coi crating with it a suitable knitting can], as 7, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 10 and in section in 11, said cam being suitably attached, as by a screw to a slide C fitted into a suitable groove in the inner wall of the cam cylinder. This slide receives in it a stud screw C which is embraced back of its head by the slotted end of a suitableiever or dcvice C, shown in elevation in Fig. Fig. 11, and pivoted upon a stud screw C", the outer end of the lever being acted upon by a. suitable cam G, Figs. 7 and 10, formed on the tubular C mounted upon a stud sercw C, the outer end of the sleeve having a series of teeth, as C", said teeth in the rotation of the cam cylinder striking at times one after another a stitch length regulator, see Fig. 7', represented as a pln 4 proided at its inner side with a pro ection l". see dotted lines Fig. 7. said pin being lifted by or through a suitable slide bar 5 connectcd to the pin 4 and located in one of the grooves of the cross bar A hereinbefore clescribed said bar occupying a position between tlrb needle to be described, the lower end of Hlld bar being acted upon by a pin or projection ot'u pattern surface at suitable times when the length of stitch to be changed. J

The mechanism for scouring thc-anttmiatie control of the length of the stitch herein dorribml is the preferred form, but this fea turn of the invention is not to be limited to the particular mechanism nor otherwise than called for by the claims. The length of the stitch is determined by the amount of thread drawn ml by the heedle in making F nstitch. In ribbed work the cylinder needles draw the thread over the dial needles, and in plain work the thread is drawn over the edge of the cylinder or over Web holders 6 or sinkers, such as herein provided. Hence the length of the stitch, according to the circumstances. can be changed in various Ways, am which is the method herein described of cngihening the downward. movement of the cylinder needles.

While the change in the length of the stitch is particularly descrilau'l herein as being etl'ected upon the change from one kind of knitting to another. such as from i plain to ribbed. and also during the progress of one kind of knitting. such a, in the ribbed leg, yet it is obvious that since this mechanism is under the control of the pattern mech anism that the change may be made automatically at such times as may be desired.

Viewing Fig. 10, it will be seen that the cam C referred to is irregular in shape. It. will be understood herein that the, stocking proper is commenced at the lee pouch, and when the stocking is so commenced the toe of the lever C stands on the high part 7 of the cam C", and at that time the stitch is the longest made, the thread used being usually the coarsest or heaviest thread used in-the formation of the stocking. The rain (1 stands in this position with its part 7 operatlve on the lever C" while the toe and the heel, and if desired the foot and the ankle, if an ankle is formed on a stocking, are being knit, only the cvlinder needles at such time open ating'. When the ribbed leg is to be formed it must be started with a short stitch and the dial cam needles lnust beput into operative position between the change from plain stitch knitting to rib knitting, and prepare tory tothis change of knitting the cam fl is moved one step, letting the toe of the lever C meet the fiat portion of the cam between the mint 7 and 8, and the dial needles hav ing ecn put into operative position, the cam the cam to act upon the toe of the ever and put the knitting cam in its highest position to make the shortest stitch, this shortest stitch being made as the first course of rib knitting is joined to a previous course of plain stitch knitting. During the formation of the leg the cam C is moved, as herein 7 resented, three times, each movement of Fig cam effecting a slight increase in the -ength of the stitch, the part 9 of the cam of the lever C finished, such change of increasing the length of stitclr in the leg to thereby give to the he? greater elasticity that it may fit the cal The leg'having been-finished, we usually knitseveralconrses of plain knitting reparatory to again co nmencin a toe, tins connecting the entire this lain circular knitting eliciting the comp etion of the top of the legit is necesto again throw the dial needles out of loperative position, and during this time the C is moved again permitting the part 8 of coming into operative position with the toe substantiallyas the leg is the lever gradually series 0 stockings in a web, and-to commence needies l a i before stated, the plain knitting of the ankle,

if used, to be carried on.

Viewing Fig. 10, it will be noticed that a single cam is used for operating the cylinder needles, said cam presenting two faces for the reason that at times the cam cylinder is employed to knit circular web, and at other imes tlat web, as when knitting toes and. heels, so that both inclined faces of the cam are used to depress the needles. The ring (1 presents at opposite sides of itsdepression in which the butts of the needles descend, suitable projections, as 12, see Fig. 10, which elevate the needles slightly above their nor mal position just before the needles are depressed to take yarn and form loops, such elevation putting the latches of the needles always high enough to pass through any loops that might be upon them, so that When a needle next descends its hook having taken a thread, said thread will be drawn through the loop then under the latch, for it the needle was not elevated sutliciently to lift its latch through the loop on its shank the needle would take two loops in its hook and a tool' stitch would be formed. The outer end at the lever C is normally kept pressed against the cam referred to by a suitable spring 13, represented in Fig. 7.

The cylinder needles which it is not de sired to use in the knitting of toes and heels, and consequently referred to as inactive needles, are all put automatically into their elevated or inactive position Where they remain during lllOYQIllQltt of the machine for narrowing and widcnin". The endmost needles of the series used for h el and toe knitting are put out of operation, one or more as desired, at the end of each reci rocation, according to the ahruptne ss l l l i l i of t e narrowing desired, until the course in the the and heel containing the fewest needles is reached, when the needles that have been put successively out of operation in narrowing are gradually brought back into operation to make the complemental half for the heel or toe, after which all the needles are autpmaticall put into their active position and circu ar knittingis resumed.

The levers controlled by the (pattern mechanism to put the inactive nee les into their inoperative position are of peculiar and novel construction, said levers, as herein shown, being pivoted each u on a suitable Wire bent in ring form, each ever having a shoulder which is engaged by a lip at the i l i F .a notch n which may l l {Ito-1W6 made in a ir ular iiltfl said jacks being: represented as lit-ideal at ."i

each side or" the needle cylinder in two rmvs. the jacks in each row standinr: in line one with the other, thereby to or able the hairs oi' the pattern surface to be .'..tttlt' traight and to he linked together in the orn: ol' :1 chain. c i

all as will licrcina fter more i v v a :r,

The needles are of the latmwu and each needle is conip i -ii of a wire suitably bent, as at rz, the wire being prolong-ed licl or form a tail said tail hci l proper times by a when it is desired to u? we: nsrti in narrm ng and Wide: 1 operative position. said lever re ei'ig agenicnt with the needlc in is ativc position until the ndvdlii is to no re stored to its operative pmuion. ihetail of the needle for H30 5: ter wit [it its at length Qilrfil to conta t Wit of the ang (F having th descriht hothct p i-mars f a: tween said mi et. portion w n. i g1 il t the bottom of the grooves in the with iylan indcr.

The jacks c, Fig. 7, are alike at each side of the machine, so it will he v ni-ressary to refer specifically to but his: set. These jacks are alike in two side of the machine, see Fig. ti and the jacks at each side-stand substantially in the same line, the anks fitting: grooves in the crossbar A", and being retained therein, as stated, lay the p ate IV; The t wer ends 5' those jacks are tapered, as at and said .apered l'iwer ends are n rmally kept. depressed toward the patios-u surface. to be des ribed. by means of tflillztivi springs r", connected each at one end Willi a projection 1; 1|.

of the jack. and at its opposite end witha suitable pin r 41.5 a plate suitably attached to the'plate A. A third arm c of each jack has a projection 1; which enters a notch in the lower end of a slide 1 to beiimved up and (loan in a snitahle of the plate c", fixed liy suitable :St' s (i to a casting .rx", suitably bolted at 1' to the cross'lia; r the central part of said plate 1. a" lacing hollaw to permit the passage of the knitted stocking through it from the interior ot' the nrcdle cyiinder. said plate also supporting in lixed position by suitable screws c the lower end of the needle cyl- 1 inder.

A suitable ringj is applied externally to the fiance part c of the plate c, said ring forming a cap or cover to retain the slides it in the grooves of the flanged part 0 1.

sets, one sflt at each iui fitted 1 1.

Herein we have represented a jack for its exterior, it entering a circular notch in u nre ile actuating; lever r. we having represented herein a lever c for each needle. Them lL\ one are each fulcrunied upon a ring f suitably mounted in an annular grhove in a lluneed part (Z at the upper end ofi the ring r, can-h of said levers being mounted in a radial groove in said flanged part, the outer end of ettt'll lever being at a point above said pivotal ring 0 connected with a Illl1l1f 1/, in turn connected with a suitable pin 1F fast in a plate d suitably pinned at (I to a part of the ring 0 said springs normally acting to keep the free ends of the lewrs a down and out of engagement with the nolrhes in the tails of the needles.

As lu-reinbetore stated, the machine herein being;- described is illustrated as pro'ided with a lever 1: for each needle, but in practice in this present machine where only circular work and reciprocating knitting is being done, said levers do not control all of the needles, as. for instance. there are twelve needles which occupy a central position with relation to the entire bank of needles used for narrowing and widening in reciprocah ing knitting which are not actuated by the levers.

\Vhen circular knitting: is being done and it is desired to start reciprocating knitting for heel and toe work as herein represented, one hulf'of the entire number of needles are at once elevated into their ino uirative posh tion by or through the levers all the jacks r contained at one side of the machine being at such time acted upon and lifted simul taneously by a projection cl", Fine. 1 and 2, extending longitudinally of a cylinder d", having its shaft or journals sustained in the s ands A", one end of the shaft carrying said cylinder being provided outside said stand ith a ratchet toothed wheel 6, which, when the ncedlesnot to be used in narrowing and widening are to be thrown out of operation, is engaged by a suitable pawl (1, which brings the projection (Z simultaneously under all the jacks at that side of the machine and lifts the levers r so that they enter the notches of the tails of the needles, lifting; all said needles and putting them into their in operative position Where they stand whiloreczprocating lmitting is bt'lllfl done. The remaining portion of the needles are employed to narrow and widen respectively in the fororation of the toe and heel pouches, and these needles must be, for narrowing, decreased in .their number at each reciprocating stroke of the can; 0 *linder, so provi ion must be and has been erein madefor lifting mtothen' inoperative position one or more needles of the series of needles used for narl owing at the end of each reciprocating stroke of the cam cylinder. The purpose of putting these needles into their inoperative positions and again back into their operative positions is well understood, and we may put one or two needles, as desired, simultaneously into their inoperative or into their operative position in any manner now commonly practiced in knitting machines. To control these needles through their jacks and put them into their proper positions respectively for narrowing and widening, we have provided a pattern surface, herein represented as .a chain D composed of twenty-six bars I), each her having suitable ears to receive screws, as D to thereby join the plates together in an endless chain.

The chain may be com osed of any desired number of bars, and it is hung on a suitable shaft 1), carrying sprockets and having at one end an attached ratchet wheel I), which when reciprocating knitting is being done is engaged by a suitable pawl D" 'arried by a lever D pivoted at D" on the fixed part of the framework, and havin" at its lower end a roller or other stud D w ich is acted upon by a cam D connected to or moving with the toothed wheel B.

The bars of the pattern surface which are used for putting into their inoperative position and I'tHtOIi g to their operative position the needles use 111 heel and toe knitting are provided each with actin faces or blocks, as D, suitably united to tie opposite ends of the bars, each block presenting preferably a plurality of shoulders or inclines 14. The successive shouldelisfon the opposite blocks are staggered and brought successively closer to the ccnter pf the length of the bars that said shoulders may act in succession at the ends of the {series of needles being used in narrowing, to pat the needles at the ends of the seriesof needles into their elevated or inoperative position at the end of each re ciprocating stroke until all the needles. except as hereinbefore stated, twelve, have been lifted leaving sai'd twelve needles to knit the narrowest course in the toe or heeh' at Whichsiime the succeeding sh ulder. or inclines upon the bars then come into operation beingseparated on from the other, graduallyureturn the nee les thrown out of operation in narrowing into their operative position for widening. 1A pattern surface having graded steps forop'erating the needles one. or more, at a time, to put them into their inoperative and to'ag'gain let them assume their operative position, is not new. so this part of this invention need not be herein further described.

Duringthi: narrowing and widening opera tions the pattern surface or chain D was inoved step-by-step through the pawl D",

actuated as already described from the cam llU D, but in the formation of circular work such continued movement becomes unnecessary, for which reason means have been provided to so control the action of the pawl, as to-permit the pattern chain to remain at rest until such time as it may be needed to cause the actuation of some adjunct of the machine as will appear.

Pivotally connected to the rear end of the machine frame, at g, in position above the pattern chain D, is a lever g having pivoted to its free end a pawl controller D provided with an ear 9 extended therefrom (Fig. 4) to normally engage beneath the pawl D under the. tension of spring g. Depending from the lever g in position to engage a suitable pin or PIOjBCU-Ol'i on the pattern chain D is an arm or finger j; which being lifted by the pin or projection on the pattern chain raises said lever g and lifts the pawl D" out of actuating contact with the ratchet wheel D, and the pattern chain remains at rest. In order to again start the pattern chain, we provide a constantly moving controller chain 1"", Figs. 3, 4 and 14-, comprising any usual form of pattern surface, preferably as an endless chain passing over the wheel f and having a ratchet wheel f which is gaged b a pawl f carried by a lever fi ivote at fand having its ower end in t e path of a suitable projection or pin e carried by the constantly rotating gear B by whic the chain is constantly moved under a controlling lever f adapted to be raised at times by projections, as f, on the chain f.

The pawl controller D below the ear 9 has a depending trip arm i in the form of inclined end, Fig. 4, which when the pawl W'rests upon the ear g, is in the path of movement-of the controlling lever f, the rise of which under the call of the pattern or chain f" moves the pawl controller on its pivot g and carries the ear 9 from under the pawl D, allowing the latter to engage the ratchet wheel I) and aizain move the main pattern chain D. It will be seen from this construction that by proper disposition of risers on the controller chain f and pro* vision of pins or projections on the main pattern chain to act upon the finger f that the said main chain can be made to mov or dwell at pleasure, and advantage is taken of this fact to provide pattern pins or risers on the main chain to control the change of thread, to render active'and inactive the dial needles, to change the length of stitch, to change the speed of the machine, and to chance from rotary to reciprocating knitting and back again, as will be set forth hereinafter.

in order to change the operation of the machine from rotary to reciprocating ant omatical'ly we provide the followingmechahism Assuming that the machine is operating X to produce circular work. as the foot or leg portion, and it is desirable to change to reciprocating work for making the heel and toe pouches. The main pattern chain D is i stationary, the pawl D resting on the ear g, and the parts will so remain until a riser on the constantly moving controller chain f comes under the controller lever f whereupon, the pawl controller D will be tripped to drop the pawl D into engagement with the ratchet wheel D", thus starting the main pattern chain D. Mounted in an appropriate support on the main frame, as sleeve 0", is a I'Oifili-Sllflfi. c, carrying an arm r, vhiclrjs in the path of movement of a suitable riser on the now moving main pattern chain. Secured to the opposite end of the rock-shaft e is the depending arm (5", see Figs. 3 and 4, having joined to it a radius ha 1' c, provided at or near its free end, at one side, see Fig. 5, with a cam projection 6*. The front end of said radius bar rests on a suitable fixed shoulder c, Fig. l), in which is entered a stud screw 6 upon which mounted the hub of a shifting lever e the hub of said lever being surrounded by a spring 6, see Figs. 2 and 5, the outer end of which abuts against a suitablewasher fast upon the outer end of the stud so that said lever ma be moved laterally upon said stud, the'sai spring normally moving the lever in opposition to the cam on the radius bar 6. The lever e is slid to the right, viewing Fig. .5, by the cam projection c of the bar when the rock-shaft c is moved by the pin or riser on the main pattern chain pjassing under the arm e as will be obvious.

on the lever e is mounted a slotted switch a, Figs. 3 and 3, dagger pointed at each end, and occupying the position shown in Fig. 3 by dotted lines and pivoted on a stud e in said lever, the slot of the switch being entered by a stop pin c which controls the extent of movement of the switch. The switch is held in either of its extreme positions by means of a locking device, herein represented as a pin a surrounded by a spring, the acting end of the pin being s taped to enter either one of two depressions (1", see Fig. 3, made in the rear side of the switch. the lever e is moved bodily 'When to the right on its stud 2 with the switch in the position shown, see Fig. 3, a pin or projection 6 extending inwardly from one edge of a block c suitably secured to the -i'hothed gear B in the rotation of said wheel will meet the upper edge 50 of the switch at its right hand side, and acting on said switch turns said lever a on its stud moving its upper end to the right in Fig. 3. The upper end of the lever e stands in a slot of the clutch controlling lever e pivoted at a, Fig. 5, and moves said clutch controlling lever to the right. in Fig. 3, thus shifting the clutch B to the right to tree it ill) from t ngttgmnrnt with the rum cylinder in its reciprocal lug motions for narrowing.

'lhr lPwr/i hating UIJt'l'itttftl tho tzllitvh and put it into engagement with t, a any shortly rouiprtmiting toothed wheat l, tin; radius hair 1: is retrzlttod bv the riser passing from liuttsitth the arm a ettilig the apt-mg c" surrounding the hub of said term; rmtore it to it normrtl poz' ition, it wtilltllihg' thetuntil tho clutch to he again tlntngrd to t'rtgugo the t-onstzmtly rototiiru; toothuil gear 13*" to olt'twt tho rotation or the rum cylinder for liliiltlilif t'll'ttllttl' work,

During the reciprocating knitt ing the main pattern chain (lOntiltlltH to he moved step-b) atop to t-ll'et-t thiproiwr narrowing and widening of the fnhrit' to form the hc'el or too, and as tho lztrst: hat of the With-hing portion of the pattern chain vomplvtes tho hm'i or Lot; pouch all the nertllrs tart} thrown into urtion by means to ho dvst'rihotl, and tho motion of the Lillll cylimlhr is chungud from rmriprocttting to circular in tho tolltnving Itiililltti. In tho lnortznmlit of thr Plilltl'i! surface a pin in the but" f meets the lover 5. before described, and efi'euts again through the radius bar 6, and its COUIIEL'tCtl parts, as described, the lateral movement of the lever z? to put its switch into pzsritxion to be tlt'ittt upon by the pin 4" carried by tho wheel ll. 21 before, but at this tilm it will he lt)ltlt! -l0()tl that tho switch having lu-m shifted or moved by the pin 1" ormtpiw a position just opposite that raprvsrntwl in Fig, I) by dottod lint- 1, o that tho pin N in tlfzHUtlltlillg1H1$U the upper inclined uml .10 of tho dagger oi tho swift-h om ositw thr l1)- t-lint-tl part .30 and turns the drifting lm'rr t in t1 rliruvtiol: to more the clutvli-t'oitlrolli 1;5 from ii i po itio with tho i'ltliri: ii in ongtagoltwnt with the ("Ulhitllihlj' writ romiting' toothed whvr-l it putting it into rat gig-world with this r-otudnh lv rotating i'oi'ithml \Yltt'ifl 1 5 to hm impart to the Fliti ti l3 :1 ronlintotts tiotion of rotation tor cit (illlll lmitt-img.

Prior to the mmimvht'zt'mmit oi t'm'ipromtin knitting it is M wiry to raise part of tho hiwllow to rm inactive positiom and 2m alt-wily indicatvtl this is done hyh'ieans of :1 ptltturu cylinder a? suitably journaled in the muchino frame. and provided with a pattern or rnisinghur (i adapted on the rotot'ion ol the ()(lilst'ltl' to tingz ge the ods c of the lit'trr or jot-ks C, the said c-ylind -ihm ins! r tzttt-d h means of ratchet 'llt'tl (I on gnggvd h s pawl (.Z opmatml hr the ler r 1?" From the mm :1 on the huh oi the intvrmw difilf goat B It is evident timt tlw cylinr m' 1/ must be rotated only 3t iHtEF EQlF.

it for instance part of the needles'are to' the mnmlaotly rol he mix tatm; toothed whvul ll and ong'u gv will l coimawt 1 out of station by the hat d on the :Iawlii ot rrot unwitting knitting and again \Ylttil tlju notrdlvs arr tilt to he made active on thv withiwncunltrt:t oi." rotary work. To thus regu ate th 5 actuation of the pattern oylinder 0', we provide at pawl lifter r1,

'iivotod at wi l, to the flt'u and of :1 Error (1, pivoted m d to tho trmi'hitao frame, the mid pawl litter hunig provided dtvl'lh' lower ttltl with a deli-til r1 ttormai L projc-rtvtl he umlth the pawl by a spring al and on tllu ltYQI a! We provide a liftur at, tho lower end of which. whom it lmr o U11 tllt pattern cylinder 1;! in p witiot; to para ml to its next mowmmit huit'szlth tlll' nvwllu jfli'liS is adaptvtl to l t; ngugvd h :1 pin or lifter d Projrt'tliw' 'l l'nt'll tho r'ldl} ol tlit pawl liftfil' d is :m Ii, which ungu 0-= tho shifting lt-wr and as such shitting lover is moral il v to the right in Fig. 1 when vhtmging from rotary to roci 'irotrating moromrnt. it i (Wltlfitlt that the pawl lifitl (1" will lw pttllod from under the pawl rl and tilt ltsttor will actuate the Cylinder. It is nocvs nmg h n tho orlimlor J hm: hot-st turned sutiit-ivutly to plum? a bill if" ht-ntmth the 'nvmlhjztrlis that tho said (:Jllfltlfil lBtf hold st: tionary during: the LHtlifi fornmtiosi ot' the hvcl or too, or during narrowing and \ridrning mid to cfitect this dwell of the cylinder \ro proviod a second pawl lifter in Fast to a Slitlt. hm m. adapted to more lengthwise on the ('lHlCll Rlklflll (1 It will lit notirod that the second pawl litter while adapted to slide on tilt clutPh shifter. mom with Fttifl l'llfltl as the lnttt'r swings on its pivot thus when tho clu ch is moved from the position shown lay Fig. 3, whore it its engng wl witl't thu voiwtantlv rotrtting gem" l fto the prmition with the rlutch 1n ll gzigmiwot with th roriprot'ntimf gym! 3% tho HGffilltl pawl lifter is moved llllt'ffltll the pawl (5 and the cylinder (3 remain-1 idlo. Th0 slide m i8 provided with who or more wot hrs m which. While FWi[)lw i'ltiQ mi ting is ioimr on arr mig gzvd l tho chit hi5: lvFvr I so that on tla lir t i'lltfi liii 'fi t of ho --hii"tit gi lover t" hodii on its mpporting stud the s econd pawl lift or i= morrwl from nude-r the pawl (I and tho c vlimlor i thvn rotated to take the hit 1' n from lwnonth tlm twvdlo thus throwing th it halt of tho needles that remained idle (hiring TBtillFU-- eating knitting into action.

i i desi zthlo during tho Forma ion of the howl and too t'lmt tho l tlPl'fittltlfifi? of l'llP mm r-rlindvr llfiil l i QlOW. {w rommrod with tho movon'rotill of Quid @ylinrh-r during cirrul"r Work. and to :utt ttrt imllr oltvnt thio lLIHQ'8 of sot-Pd 2 thor-h mzo ot' mowmvnt in tho mm rliridvr i marl n WP orovido on t roar mlrt of tho frrtmt- DI'HDFI"SHMKHN For a rock-sh ft i parrvim :m firm m1?- wtallv prewcd toward the mnio path-r14 rhziin by 11' Spring i""."and we moi i 119% the mail pattern chain the shaft 2' as the said riser or pin passes beneath the arm ()n the end opposite the arm i we provide an actuating arm 6 which bears against an inclined projection 11 on the hub of a spe'ed lever i normally pressed toward the actuating arm by a spring i Fig. 4:. The lower end of said speed lever is normally out of the path of movement of the pin r on the gear B, but when said lever is moved bodily sidewise against the tension of the spring 5 by the movement of the actuating arm 1". the lower end of the speed lever is placed in the path of the said pin 6". On the lower end of the speed lever is a wedge shaped shoe or switch i pivoted at i (Fig. 3). the swinging movement of the shoe or switch on said liver being limited by a pin 2'". in a slot in the upper portion of said switch or shoe.

-When the speed lever is moved to place its lower end in the path of the pin 6 on the gear B. the said speed lever will be moved to the left or to the right in Fig. 3, depending upon which side of the switch is engaged by the pin a. In the disposition of parts shown by Fig. 3 the switch 2' will be engaged on its right hand side by the pin e, thereby moving the upper end of the speed lever to the right. and as the pin e" travels over the edge of the switch, it will turn the same to leave it in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, so that on the next engagenwnt of the shoe or switch with the pin e, which is determined by the pattern on the main pattern chain. as already pointed out. the upper end of the speed.

levor will be moved to the left. 'The upper end of the lever '2' engages the end of the bell crank lever i pivoted at 5 and having a bifurcated arm i which engages the clutch B From this construction it will be seen that as the speed lever is moved the clutch B is put into engagement with one or the other of pulleys B and B to thereby change the speed and that such change of speed is directly under the control of the main pattern chain. \Vhilcthc change of speed is thus described as taking place upon the change from reciprocating torcircular knitting, and vice versa, it is obvious that since the speed changing mechanism is controlled bv thc pattern surface, it may be changed at such other times as may be desired or found to be of advantage owing to the character of the work.

Mechanism for taking up the knitted web. comprising a main take-up with additional weights and an auxiliary take-up or grab. all automatically controlled by means of the pattern cylinder. (-o'istitute one of the features of the machine.

The cam D. which as previously noted is connected with and driven by the g ar B, operates the lever D which is pivoted a suitable pin or riser to turn I on the frame of the machine at D.

The lever D carries at one end a roller stud l), riding on the said cam D and at its opposite end the pawl l) which e-i'igagesa ratchet wheel I) fast on a shaft D. A detent pawl D prevents reverse rotation of the ratchet l)". The shaf" D is mounted in the hear ing blocks D on the cross-bar D of the main frame, and carries between the bearings a scored or fluted roll I), constituting the main or driving member of the take-up mechanism for the knitted web. The roll D has cooperating with it a second fluted roll D mounted in bearing blocks D which are pressed forward by springs D, so that the two fluted rolls are normally pressed together. -Set screws l) are provided for adjusting or controlling the pressure of the rolls against each other.

A yoke D is mounted on the shaft l) and carries at its forward or inner end a guiding roll D, located directly beneath the needle cylinder. The knitted fabric passes downward around under the roll I), and then upward and enters the bight of the fluted rolls 1) and I). seen that as the machine is operated the fluted rolls will be rotated step by step to take up and control the knitted fabric.

The take-up yoke D has extending from one side thereof a cross-bar e0 Weights w are connected to the yoke D by means of the suspending rod 1a which embraces between its limbs the cross liar Fig. :2 of the yoke. It is desirable at times to relieve the fabric of the strain due to the weights w. as in narrowing and widening. and said weights are therefore connected by rods to. to a lift lever w, pivoted at 20*, and having its upper end in in the path of a suitable riser or projection w on the patfern cylinder (Z9, which 15 moved in relation to the main pattern chain D and positioned with relati n to the bars (I for lifting the needles that at the latter act to render half the needles inoperative during heel and toe worln the riser or pro jection lifts the weight from the yoke. It is likewise desirable at times to entirely lift all weight from the fabric, for which reason we provide a'second lift lever 21: Fig, Loonnected to the yoke frame I) by a connoctipn w", a suitable riser or pin is provided on the pattern cylinder 6. in line with the lift le ver w, and when this" riser passes beneath the lever the entire yoke B with its suspended Weights will be raised relieving the fabric of all strain. The riser or projection is preferably arranged to secure this result' during the knitting of the toe and heel portion.

The yoke frame D is also provided with an arm I). extending laterally therefrom and herein shown as an extension of the arm 1.0 to the outside of the irachine frame. a hole D being formed in the frame for that It will thus be 

